Mining machine



March H3, H93@ H. w. DRIEHAUS MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 50, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l ...wh-wlmi...- v. MW.

M, Mlo H. W. @Rim-mus MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 LQSQSML March lm, i934. H. w. DRIEHAUS MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 50, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1932 4 Shetss--Sheev'l 4 Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNTED STATES PArNT raies IWINING MACHINE Application September 30, 1932, Serial No. 635,560

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines of the type adapted to make a shearing cut in the mine wall, and has among other objects to provide a new and improved truck mounted mining machine of the type described whereby a shearing cut may be made in the mine wall a substantial distance ahead of the truck for supporting the mining machine.

In mining thin seams of coal it is oftentimes desirable to take up bottom as the mining progresses to permit full size cars to be used in carrying away the mined coal. Where coal is mined with such a system, and due to the fact that the bottom of the coal seam is relatively hard and the bottom on which the track is laid is relatively soft, a bench, whose top is on a level with the bottom of the coal seam, is left of a length substantially equal to the length of kerf cut by the cutter bar in order that the coal may be shot down onto the relatively hard bottom thereof and loaded from there into the mine cars, When such a bench is left, great diiculty has heretofore been encountered in shearing on account of the fact that a shearing machine must be mounted on a truck in order to operate emciently and the truck cannot be moved close enough to the face of the coal to permit the machine to cut above the bench. The device of my invention is so arranged that a shearing cut may be made in the mine wall by means of a track mounted mining machine, which cut is made above a bench a distance ahead of the machine substantially equal to the average depth of kerf cut by the n.. cutter bar.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention in position to cut a vertical kerf in the mine wall;

1Eigure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of my invention; Figure 3 is a partial schematic side elevation showing the cutter bar in a different position than in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the device embodying my invention with parts broken .3 away and in section to more clearly show the details thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the rearward portion of the device embodying my invention with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details thereof; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now in particular to the embodiment of my invention as shown in the drawings, a truck 10 supported on track wheels 11 and axles 12 is provided. The truck 10 supports cutting mechanism of a type similar to that shown in a prior patent of Frank A. Lindgren, No. 1,864,841, for cutting at various elevations with respect to said truck and ahead of said truck in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

Inasmuch as the cutting mechanism is of a usual construction it will only be herein described insofar as is necessary to clearly illustrate may present invention and includes `a frame 14 supported on the truck 10 for vertical adjustment with respect thereto in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. A cutter frame 15 is mounted on the frame 14 on a transversely extending shaft 17 disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof, and suitable elevating mechanism generally indicated by reference character 18 disposed adjacent the forward end thereof. The elevating mechanism 18 is so arranged that it may pivot the cutter frame 15 about the axis of the transverse shaft 17 and thus elevate or depress the forward end of said cutter frame.

The cutter frame 15 serves as a slidable support for a cutting element 19, which cutting element includes a vertically arranged cutter bar 20 having arelatively long forward face and having a cutter chain 21 movable thereabout in a closed orbital path, a motor 22 for driving said cutter chain or reciprocably moving said cutting element with respect to the cutter frame 15 for feeding said cutter bar into the coal or withdrawing said cutter bar therefrom in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described and the gearing for effecting the above mentioned operations.

Referring now to the means for longitudinally moving the cutting element 19 with respect to the cutter frame 15, racks 23 are secured to the top and bottom sides of said cutter frame. Pinions 24 on opposite ends of a vertical shaft 25 are adapted to mesh with the racks 23 and are driven by the motor 22 in the following manner:

A transversely extending shaft 26 is driven from theV motor 22 through a suitable system of bevel gears in a usual manner (not shown). A vertical shaft 27 is driven from the transversely extending shaft 26 by means of a worm and worm gear generally indicated by reference character 28. A pinion 29 is provided on the upper end of the shaft and meshes with and drives an internal gear 30 adapted to be selectively connectible with the shaft 25 for driving said shaft and the pinions 24 at a relatively slow speed.

A spur gear 33 is keyed on the vertical shaft 27 and drives a spur gear 34 loosely mounted on the shaft 25. A suitable clutch means of an ordinary construction is provided for connecting the spur gear 34 with the shaft 25 for driving said shaft at a relatively fast speed in a reverse direction from which it is driven by the internal gear 30 for moving the cutting element 19 reversely along the cutter frame 15 and Withdrawing the cutter bar 20 from the coal. The clutch mechanisms for connecting the internal gear 3.0 to the shaft 25, and the spur gear 34 to said shaft, are interconnected so said shaft may be driven by only one of said gears at a time to prevent breakage of the parts in the drive train therefor. Suitable stops (not shown) are provided for automatically stopping forward or rearward movement of the cutting element 19 along the cutter frame 15 and reversing the direction of movement of said cutting element therealong after the cutter bar 20 has been sumped into the coal to its full cutting depth in a usual manner well known to those skilled in the art.

The elevating mechanism 18 serves to move the cutting element 19 and cutter bar 20 about the axis of the transverse shaft 17 for elevating said cutter bar or feeding said cutter bar vertically along the coal face and is supported by support members 36 extending upwardly and forwardly from opposite sides of the frame 14 and secured thereto in a usual manner.

A rack 37 depends from and is pivotally connected to the forward end of one outer support member 36. Another rack 37 depends from and is pivotally connected to the forward end of one inner support member 36. The racks 37 are mounted on opposite sides of the cutter bar 20 and pinions 39, keyed to opposite ends of a transverse shaft 40, mesh therewith. The transverse shaft 40 is journaled in a suitable fabricated bearing support member 41, which bearing support member is in turn secured to the cutter frame 15 adjacent the forward end thereof and extends transversely of the frame 14 and passes through and has slidable engagement with the cutter bar 20 for supporting said cutter bar and permitting said cutter bar to move with respect thereto. Suitable guide members 43 are secured to opposite sides of the bearing support member 41 and abut the rearward end and sides of the racks 37 for holding said racks in mesh with the pinions 39. Thus rotation of the transverse shaft 40 rotates the pinions 39 and moves the bearing support member 41 and cutter bar 20 upwardly or downwardly along the racks 37- for pivoting the cutter frame l5 about the axis of the transverse shaft 17 and vertically moving or feeding the cutter bar 20.

The transverse shaft 40 may be driven by suitable manual drive means through a worm gear 44 keyed thereto and a worm 45 meshing therewith, or it may be driven from the mo-tor 22 by means of a suitable detachable telescopic shaft 46 in an ordinary manner which is not herein shown or described in detail since it is no portion of my present invention.

It may thus be seen that a suitable support for the cutter bar 20 has been provided whereby said cutter bar may be moved longitudinally with respect thereto for feeding said cutter bar and the cutter chain 21 into the coal, and for vertically adjusting said cutter bar with respect to said support for feeding said cutter bar vertically in the coal.

Referring now in particular to several of the novel features of my invention and the means for adjusting the cutting mechanism with respect to the truck 10 whereby the cutter bar 20 may cut a vertical kerf in a coal face on a bench disposed a distance ahead of said truck equal substantially to the average depth of kerf cut by said'cutter bar, a pair of bell crank levers 47 are provided adjacent the forward end of the truck 10 on opposite sides thereof, and a pair of bell crank levers 49 are provided adjacent the rearward end of said truck adjacent opposite sides thereof.

The bell crank levers 47 have one end of one of their lever arms pivotally connected to the outer sides of the frame for the truck 10 and have the opposite ends of each of said lever arms pivotally connected to brackets 50 secured to the frame 14 and depending therefrom. Likewise, the bell crank levers 49 have one end of one of their lever arms connected to opposite sides of the frame for the-truck 10 adjacent the rearward end thereof and have the opposite end of each of said lever arms connected to brackets 51 secured to and depending from the frame 14. The bell crank levers 47 and 49 are so spaced with respect to each other as to be in parallel relation when the frame 14 is parallel to the truck 10. The other lever arms of the bell crank levers 47 extend forwardly therefrom and have the forward end of connecting links 53 pivotally connected thereto. The rearward ends of the connecting links 53 are connected to forwardly extending second lever arms of the bell crank levers 49 to hold the bell crank levers 47 and 49 in parallel relation with respect to each other and to hold the frame 14 in a parallel position with respect to the truck 10.

It may thus be seen that the lever arms of the bell crank levers 47 and 49 are substantially parallel and in effect form a parallel link connection forl supporting the cutting mechanism on the truck 10. It may further be seen that the bell crank levers 47 and 49 move together and that as said bell Acrank levers are pivoted about their axes of pivotal connection to the truck l0, the frame 14 and cutting element 19 are elevated or lowered and simultaneously moved forwardly or rearwardly with respect to said truck (see Figs. 1 and 3). Thus the cutting mechanism is supported in a relatively central position with respect to the truck 10 for transportation and a forward position with respect to said truck for cutting. With such a support, the cutter bar 20 may readily cut ahead of the truck 10 when elel tors 54 pivotally connected to the outer ends of Y a transversely extending shaft 55 supported in the brackets 5l and coaxial with the axis of pivotal connection of the bell crank levers 49 to said brackets and serving as a pivotal support for said bell crank levers.

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,Y end of a transversely extending shaft 63. Worm gear 64 is keyed on the transversely extend- CID A lever arm 56 is integral with each gear sector 54 and extends from the shaft 55 in a direction opposite from said gear sector. Each lever arm 56 is yieldably connected to the outer side of the bell crank lever 49 on the arm which has connection with the frame for the truck 10. The connection for each lever arm 56 to each bell crank lever 49 includes a bolt 57, having a nut threaded thereon, interposed between the lever arm 56 and a bracket 59 integral with each bell crank lever 49 and having a' spring 60 encircling said bolt and interposed between said bracket and lever arm. Thus when the gear sectors 54 are rotated about the axis of the shaft 55, the bell crank levers 49 will be pivoted about their axes of pivotal connection to the frame for the truck which will similarly pivot the forward bell crank levers 47 and elevate or lower the cutting element 19.

Reach gears 61 are freely mounted on the outer ends of the transverse shaft 17 and mesh with the teeth of the gear sector 54. The reach gears 6l are in turn driven by pinions 62 on the outer A ing shaft 63 and is driven by a worm 65 on a vertical shaft 66. The vertical shaft 66 is in turn driven by a worm gear 67 secured thereto and a worm 68 on a longitudinally extending shaft 69.

A suitable means is provided for operatively connecting the shaft 69 with the rearward end of the motor 22 when the cutting element 19 is at the extreme rearward end of the cutter frame K which comprises a clutch member 70 feathered Y shifted along the shaft 69 by means of a suitable system of levers in an ordinary manner (not shown).

A suitable drive is provided for the truck l0 rom the motor 2.2, which herein comprises a suitable chain and sprocket drive generally indicated by reerence character 72, a suitable chain tightenng device 73 to take up the slack as the cutting mechanism is elevated or lowered with respect to said truck, and a suitable detachable connection from a bevel gear 74 on the transversely extending shaft 26 in a usual manner not herein shown since it is no portion of my invention.

It may thus be seen that a shearing machine has been provided which will cut a kerf in a coal face disposed ahead of its truck at an elevation above the truck which permits the cutter bar to cut in low seams of coal above a bench formed in the mine bottom, said truck being stationary on the mine track during the cutting operation. It may also be seen that a new and improved means of a simplified construction has been provided for supporting the cuttingmechanism for making such a cut, which supporting mechanism also permits the cutting mechanism to be lowered in a rearward position with" respect to said truck for transportation or for cutting adjacent the mine bottom when desired.

While I have herein sho-wn and described one form of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction or arrangement oi parts herein shown and described excepting as specifically limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a truck, a frame, a

cutting element supported by said frame including a motor, a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout extending forwardly therefrom, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other means driven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said parallel links for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck.

2. In a mining machine, a truck, a frame, a cutting element supported by said frame including a motor, a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout extending forwardly therefrom, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other means driven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said parallel links for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost of said parallel links and gears driven by said motor meshing with each of said gear sectors.

3. In a mining machine, a truck, a frame, a cutting element supported by said frame including a motor, a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout extending forwardly therefrom, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other means driven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said parallel links for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising gearsector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost of said parallel links, a gear meshing with each of said gear sectors, and a self-locking drive from said motor to said gears.

4. In a mining machine, a truck, a frame, a cutting element supported' by said frame including a motor, a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout extending forwardly therefrom, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other meansdriven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pvotally connected to said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, and a selec tive drive connection from said motor to said parallel links for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost of said parallel links, a gear meshing with each of said gear sectors, and a self-locking drive from said moor to said gears including a self-locking worm and worm gear.

5. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck,

a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a vertical kerf in the mine wall, and means whereby said cutter bar may be fed and supported to cut a kerf above a bench in a face disposed ahead of said truck a distance equal substantially to the average depth of kerf cut by said cutter bar comprising a frame, slidable support means for supporting said cutter bar on said frame for reciprocable movement with respect thereto and means for supporting said frame on said truck for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and simultaneously moving said frame towards the forward end of said truck upon elevation thereof comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to said truck adjacent one of their ends and pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their opposite ends, a lever arm extending from each of said parallel links, a connecting member connecting said lever arms together and power means for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector having operative connection with one of said links, a gear meshing therewith, a motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar and a geared connection from said motor to said gear meshing withsaid gear sector.

6. In a shearing machine, a track mounted truck, a frame, a cutter frame pivotally supported thereon for pivotal movement about a transverse axis disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof, a cutting element supported by said cutterzframe for slidable movement therealong including a motor, a cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain movable thereabout, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other means driven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, a pair of connecting members for connecting said pairs of parallel links together, and a selective drive connection from said parallel links to said motor for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck.

7. In a shearing machine, a track mounted truck, a frame, a cutter frame pivotally supported thereon for pivotal movement about a transverse axis disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof, a cutting element supported by said cutter frame for slidable movement therealong including a motor, a cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain movable thereabout, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, and other means driven by said motor for vertically adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck and having supporting engagement with said frame, a pair of connecting members for connecting said pairs of parallel links together, and a selective driveconnection from said parallel links to said motor for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost of said parallel links and a. pair of gears driven by said motor meshing with said gear sectors.

8. In a shearing machine, a track mounted truck, a frame, a cutter frame pivotally supported thereon for pivotal movement about a transverse axis disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof, a cutting element supported by said cutter frame for slidable movement therealong including a motor, a cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain movable thereabout, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about said cutteibarfand other meansv driven by said motor for vertically-adjusting said frame and cutter bar-with respect to said truck comprising a pair of parallellinks pivotally connected to opposite sides of Ysaidtruck and having supporting engagement with saidframe, a pair of connectingfmembers for connecting said pairs of parallel links together, and a selective drive connection from said parallel links to said motor for moving'saidparallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost ofv said-parallel links, a pair of gears meshing with said gear sectors and a self-locking drive from-,said motor to said gears.

V9. In ashearing machine, a track mounted truck, a frame, a cutter frame pivotally supported thereon forfpivotal movement about a transverse axis disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof, a cutting element, supported by said cutter frame forslidable movement therealong including a motor, a cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain movable thereabout, means driven by said motor for driving said cutter chain about saidcutter bar, and other means driven by said motor-forgverticaliy adjusting said frame and cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a pair ofA parallel linkspivotally co-nnected to opposite sides of said truck and having supporting engagement-with said frame, a pair of connecting members for connecting said pairs of parallel links together, and a selective drive connection from said-parallellinks to said motor for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector operatively connectible with each of the rearwardmost ofsaid parallel links, a pair of gears meshing with said gear sectors and a self-locking -drive from said motor to said gears including a self-locking worm and worm gear.

l0. In a track mounted shearing machine, a truck, va cutting element including a motor and a vertically arranged chain carrying cutter bar, and means for supporting said cutter bar for simultaneous vertical and forward adjustment with respect to saidtruck comprising a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck and having pivotal connection with said cutting element for supporting said cutter bar, a pair of connecting members for connecting said pairs ofparallel linkstogether, and a selective drive connection from said parallel links to said motor for moving said parallel links about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprisingagear sector operatively connectible with the rearwardmost of said parallel links, a pair of gears meshing with said gear sectors and a selflocking drive from said motor to said gears.

ll. In a track mounted shearing machine, a truck, a .cutting element including a motor and a vertically arranged chain carrying cutter bar, and means for supporting said cutter bar for simultaneous vertical Aand lforward adjustment with respect to said truck comprising a pair of bell crank levers pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck on one end of one of their lever arms, and pivotally connected to said cutting-element on the opposite end of each of said lever arms, connecting members for connecting the other lever arm of each of said bell crank levers together on the same sides of said truck permitting said bell crank levers to operate together, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said bell crank levers for moving said bell crank levers about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector having pivotal connection With each of the rear- Wardniost of said bell crank levers at their point of connection with said cutting element and a yieldable connection With said bell crank levers at a point beneath the point of connection of said rearwardmost bell crank levers with said cutting element.

12. In a track mounted shearing machine, a truck, a cutting element including a motor and a vertically arranged chain carrying cutter bar, and means for supporting said cutter bar for simultaneous vertical and forward adjustmentl with respect to said truck comprising a pair of bell crank levers pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck on one end of one of their lever arms, and pivotally connected to said cutting element on the opposite end of each of said lever arms, connecting members for connecting the other 1ever arm of each of said bell crank levers together on the same sides of said truck, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said bell crank levers for moving said bell crank levers about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector having pivotal connection with each of the rearwardmost of said bell crank levers at their point of connection with said cutting element and a yieldable connection with said bell crank levers at a point beneath the point of connection of said rearwardmost bell crank levers with said cutting element, a pair of gears meshing with said gear sectors, and a selflocking drive from said motor to said gears.

13. In a track mounted shearing machine, a truck, a cutting element including a motor and a vertically arranged chain carrying cutter bar, and means for supporting said cutter bar for simultaneous vertical and forward adjustment with respect to said truck comprising a pair of bell crank levers pivotally connected to opposite sides of said truck on one end of one of their lever arms, and pivotally connected to said cutting element on the opposite end of each of said lever arms, connecting members for connecting the other lever arm of each of said bell crank levers together on the same sides of said truck permitting said bell crank levers to operate together, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said bell crank levers for moving said bell crank levers about their axes of pivotal connection to said truck comprising a gear sector having pivotal connection with each of the rearwardmost of said bell crank levers at their point of connection With said cutting element and a yieldable connection with said bell crank levers at a point beneath the point of connection of said rearwardmost bell crank levers with said cutting element, a pair of gears meshing with said gear sectors and a self-locking drive from said motor to said gears comprising a self-locking Worm and Worm gear.

HERMAN W. DRIEHAUS. 

